Unable to open an old database file is there a way to open iit excel? PLEASE HELP [ Edited ]

[greatdeals007]

currently running windoes vista 32 bit with Act 2008 version 10.  Last year my database file would not open so I spent months trying to figure out how to resolve.  I ended up just creating a new database for new entries but now I still to figure out how to retrieve the data from the original database.

I get various error messages when trying to open up the original database:

1.  database could not be accessed....check your network connection....etc
2.  error processing pad

is there a way for me access the data perhaps in some format that I can dump into excel and then reimport into my new act database?  I really need access to that old data.  I have scoured the discussion forums, knowledge base and have tried various solutions but I am still unable to open.

I wonder if it's because the database is on a secondary drive?  there must be some way to get that data without going through ACT?

please help

[gmartin]

This could happen if the drive designation changed for the secondary drive. Try opening the database using the ADF file, instead of the PAD file. To do so:
- Rename PAD file for database (add .old to end)
- Open ACT!
- Click File > Open database
- Change 'Files of type' to ADF > browse to database files
- Attempt to open (will recreate the PAD file)